Comparison of Substrate-Borne Vibrational Signals of Two Congeneric Stink Bug Species, Thyanta pallidovirens and T. custator accerra (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Vibrational signals (songs) were recorded and compared for two stink bug species, Thyanta pallidovirens and T. custator accerra. Females of both species produced two songs. Male T. pallidovirens also produced two songs, whereas male T. c. accerra produced four. Songs emitted by females of both species were comparable in structure and function, as was one of the male-produced songs. During the courtship phase of mating behavior, males of both species emitted a song with similar function but different temporal and spectral properties. Basic properties of songs, such as the dominant frequencies, were similar to those of songs of other pentatomid species, but the extensive use of frequency modulation and overlapping duets were novel. Differences in songs, combined with differences in male-produced pheromones, may play a role in the reproductive isolation of these congeners.     

Adjacent Habitat Influence on Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Densities and the Associated Damage at Field Corn and Soybean Edges

The local dispersal of polyphagous, mobile insects within agricultural systems impacts pest management. In the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, stink bugs, especially the invasive Halyomorpha halys (Stål 1855), contribute to economic losses across a range of cropping systems. Here, we characterized the density of stink bugs along the field edges of field corn and soybean at different study sites. Specifically, we examined the influence of adjacent managed and natural habitats on the density of stink bugs in corn and soybean fields at different distances along transects from the field edge. We also quantified damage to corn grain, and to soybean pods and seeds, and measured yield in relation to the observed stink bug densities at different distances from field edge. Highest density of stink bugs was limited to the edge of both corn and soybean fields. Fields adjacent to wooded, crop and building habitats harbored higher densities of stink bugs than those adjacent to open habitats. Damage to corn kernels and to soybean pods and seeds increased with stink bug density in plots and was highest at the field edges. Stink bug density was also negatively associated with yield per plant in soybean. The spatial pattern of stink bugs in both corn and soybeans, with significant edge effects, suggests the use of pest management strategies for crop placement in the landscape, as well as spatially targeted pest suppression within fields.     

Identification of Stink Bugs Using an Electronic Nose

Stink bugs are recognized as pests of several economically important crops, including cotton, soybean and a variety of tree fruits. The Cyranose 320 was used for the classified investigation of stink bug. Stink bugs including males and females of the southern green stink bugs, Nezara viridula, were collected from crop fields around College Station, TX. Results show that the released chemicals and chemical intensity are both critical factors, which determine the rate that the Cyranose 320 correctly identified the stink bugs. The Cyranose 320 shows significant potential in identifying stink bugs, and can classify stink bug samples by species and gender.     

Colonization preference of Euschistus servus and Nezara viridula in transgenic cotton varieties,peanut, and soybean

Producers of Bt cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae), in the southeastern USA face significant losses from highly polyphagous stink bug species. These problems may be exacerbated by crop rotation practices that often result in cotton, peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., and soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill (both Fabaceae), growing in close proximity to one another. Because all of these crops are hosts for the major pest stink bug species in the region, we experimentally examined colonization preference of these species among the crops to clarify this aspect of their population dynamics. We planted peanut, soybean, Bt cotton, and glyphosate‐tolerant (RR) non‐Bt cotton at three sites over 3 years in replicated plots ranging from 192 to 1 323 m² and calculated odds ratios for colonization of each crop for Nezara viridula (L.) and Euschistus servus (Say) (both Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). In four of five experiments, both E. servus and N. viridula preferred soybean significantly more often than Bt cotton, non‐Bt cotton, and peanut. Neither N. viridula nor E. servus showed any preference between non‐Bt and Bt cotton in any experiment. Both species had higher numbers in Bt and non‐Bt cotton relative to peanut; this was not significant for any single experiment, but analyses across all experiments indicated that N. viridula preferred Bt and non‐Bt cotton significantly more often than peanut. Our results suggest that soybean in the landscape may function as a sink for stink bug populations relative to nearby peanut and cotton when the soybean is in the reproductive stage of development. Stink bug preference for soybean may reduce pest pressure in near‐by crops, but population increases in soybean could lead to this crop functioning as a source for later‐season pest pressure in cotton.     

Soybean seed damage by different species of stink bugs

Abstract

• 1 Damage caused by the three main species of stink bugs occurring on soybean Nezara viridula (Linnaeus), Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) and Euschistus heros (Fabricius) was compared in field cages and in greenhouses. Infestation levels of 4 stink bugs/m row of plants (field cages) and 2 stink bug/plant (greenhouse) for 15 days during the pod filling stage are reported. At harvest, the yield and seed quality were evaluated.
• 2 In the field, there was no difference in yield between infested and insect‐free plants, but damage to seed quality varied with stink bug species. Plants damaged by P. guildinii had the lowest quality seeds. From 50 g seed samples harvested in the field, the mean weight of seeds classified as ‘good’ was 37.3 g in plants infested with P. guildinii, compared to 41.8, 44.2 and 46.6 g in plants infested with E. heros, N. viridula and the control, respectively.
• 3 Plants infested with P. guildinii showed the highest number of seeds damaged by stink bugs, whereas those infested with E. heros showed the lowest damage.
• 4 Plants infested with P. guildinii had 18.5% damaged seeds, higher than the 3.6% and 3.4% damaged seeds from plants infested with the two other species and 0.1% in control plants. The percentage of non‐viable seeds due to stink bug damage was 5.7% for P. guildinii but lower for the other two species.

     

Seasonal body weight, lipid content, and impact of starvation and water stress on adult survivorship and longevity ofNezara viridula andEuschistus heros

Fresh and dry body weights (FW, DW) were greater for adult southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula (L.) than for the brown stink bug,Euschistus heros F. throughout the year in southern Brazil. FemalesN. viridula significantly increased FW and DW in late summer-early autumn, and during mid-spring; femaleE. heros did not show the same rates of increase in FW and DW. FemaleN. viridula were heavier than males, particularly during summer; however, female and maleE. heros were generally similar in weight.E. heros contained significantly greater amounts of lipid thanN. viridula, during mid-autumn to early-spring (April–September). Survivorship (%) and total longevity ofE. heros adults provided water only was greater (34.6–24.6 days, for females and males) than that forN. viridula (14.8–13.0 days); without water and food, longevity was drastically reduced (<7 days) for both species.     

Waveform characterization of the soybean stem feeder Edessa meditabunda: overcoming the challenge of wiring pentatomids for EPG

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) are in general robust and restless insects, which makes them difficult to wire for electropenetrograph (EPG) studies. In addition, cuticular lipids may reduce wire effectiveness, and their removal could improve success of wiring. We compared wiring effectiveness for three species of stink bugs, differing in walking behaviour and degree of cuticular waxiness, that is, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), Nezara viridula (L.), and Loxa deducta (Walker). Results indicated that removal of cuticular lipids by mechanical abrasion (via sanding) greatly improved attachment success with gold wire. Our hypothesis that heavier and bigger bugs would lose the wire attachment more quickly than lighter and smaller bugs was not confirmed, regardless of the sanding. In contrast, our hypothesis that greater movement of a bug would cause the wire to break more often was supported by extensive testing. Behaviour appears to be more relevant for successful wiring than body weight. We used the sanding and wiring technique to characterize and correlate direct current EPG waveforms for the large and restless stem‐feeding stink bug Edessa meditabunda (Fabricius) on soybean plants. This marks the first published example of pentatomid EPG waveforms. Edessa meditabunda recordings on soybean stems generated eight types of waveforms in three phases and two families, named as follows: non‐probing = Np and Z; pathway phase = Em1; X wave phase = X; ingestion phase, family I = Em2 and Em3; ingestion phase, family N = Em4 and Em5. These eight were described based on their frequencies, relative amplitudes, and level voltages. Histological studies of stylets within salivary sheaths correlated the Em1, Em2, and Em3 waveforms with specific penetration sites. The waveform with the longest duration when feeding was Em2, representing xylem sap ingestion; in addition, waveform Em3 (always preceded by an X wave) was correlated with phloem sap ingestion.     

Seeding Dates and Cultivars Effects on Stink Bugs Population and Damage on Common Bean <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L

Fields experiments were conducted during two growing seasons (2010–2011 and 2012–2013) at three seeding dates to identify stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) species and to determine their seasonal population density fluctuation and damage caused to three common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars “Ica Pijao,” “Cubacueto 25–9,” and “Chévere.” Stink bug species observed were Nezara viridula (L.), Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), Chinavia rolstoni (Rolston), Chinavia marginatum (Palisot de Beauvois), and Euschistus sp. The most prevalent species was N. viridula in both seasons. The largest number of stink bugs was found in beans seeded at the first (mid September) and third (beginning of January) seeding dates. Population peaked at BBCH 75 with 1.75, 0.43, and 1.25 stink bugs/10 plants in 2010–2011 and with 2.67, 0.45, and 1.3 stink bugs/10 plants in 2012–2013 in the fields seeded the first, second, and third seeding dates, respectively. The lowest numbers of stink bugs were found in beans seeded at the second (mid November) seeding date. A significant negative correlation between relative humidity and number of stink bugs was found in 2010–2011, and a similar tendency was observed in 2012–2013. The highest seed and pod damage levels occurred in cv. “Chévere” and the lowest in cv. “ICA Pijao” during both seasons. Results suggest that cv. “ICA Pijao” and the second (mid November) seeding date is the best choice to reduce stink bug damage.     

Influence of corn on stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in subsequent crops

In southeastern United States farmscapes, corn, Zea mays L., is often closely associated with peanut, (Arachis hypogaea L.), cotton, (Gossypium hirsutum L.), or both. The objective of this 3-yr on-farm study was to examine the influence of corn on stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Nezara viridula (L.), and Euschistus servus (Say), in subsequent crops in these farmscapes. Adults of both stink bug species entered corn first, and seasonal occurrence of stink bug eggs, nymphs, and adults indicated that corn was a suitable host plant for adult survival and nymphal development to adults. Stink bug females generally oviposited on cotton or peanut near the interface, or common boundary, of the farmscape before senescence of corn, availability of a new food, or both. Adult stink bugs dispersed from crop to crop at the interface of a farmscape in response to senescence of corn, availability of new food, or both. In corn-cotton farmscapes, adult stink bugs dispersed from senescing corn into cotton to feed on bolls (fruit). In corn-peanut farmscapes, adult stink bugs dispersed from senescing corn into peanut, which apparently played a role in nymphal development in these farmscapes. In the corn-cotton-peanut farmscape, stink bug nymphs and adults dispersed from peanut into cotton in response to newly available food, not senescence of peanut. Stink bug dispersal into cotton resulted in severe boll damage. In conclusion, N. viridula and E. servus are generalist feeders that exhibit edge-mediated dispersal from corn into subsequent adjacent crops in corn-cotton, corn-peanut, and corn-peanut-cotton farmscapes to take advantage of suitable resources available in time and space for oviposition, nymphal development, and adult survival. Management strategies for crops in this region need to be designed to break the cycle of stink bug production, dispersal, and expansion by exploiting their edge-mediated movement and host plant preferences.     

Vibratory signals of four Neotropical stink bug species

Abstract. The stink bugs Acrosternum impicticorne, Euschistus heros, Piezodorus guildinii and Thyanta perditor (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) feed and mate on the same host plants and constitute major components of the soybean pest complex in Brazil. During mating, they communicate with species and sex-specific vibratory signals whose spectral properties are characteristic of the subfamily Pentatominae. Songs differ between species in the time structure and amplitude modulation of their units. The repertoire of A. impicticorne, E. heros and T. perditor fits into the scheme described for most investigated stink bugs: females call with a sequence of pulses that differ between species in their duration and repetition rate, and males respond with courtship songs of species-specific temporal structure and amplitude modulation of complex pulse trains. Female calling and male courtship songs are the main constituents of vibratory communication between sexes in the mating period. The other vibratory emissions appear to represent either transitional songs, support recognition during close-range courtship, or are involved in male rivalry. The first recorded vibratory emissions of P. guildinii confirm that the genus Piezodorus represents an exception within the Pentatominae. Irregularly repeated female vibratory signals of P. guildinii do not trigger typical male courtship responses as they would in the small stink bugs Holcostethus strictus and Murgantia histrionica. On the other hand, complex rivalry with extensive frequency modulation of pulses, as also described in Piezodorus lituratus, opens a new insight into the role of vibratory communication in stink bugs.     

Euschistus conspersus female morphology and attraction to methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate pheromone–baited traps in processing tomatoes

Previous work documented seasonal field response dynamics of Euschistus conspersus Uhler (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) to Euschistus spp. pheromone [methyl (2E,4Z)‐decadienoate]‐baited traps in California processing tomatoes, Lycopersicon esculentum (Miller) (Solanaceae). A laboratory phenology model has been reported for E. conspersus egg incubation to adult emergence. In the present work, reproductive and thoracic dissections were performed on female E. conspersus collected year‐round from seasonal habitats in California's Central Valley. We used these dissection data to establish relationships between the morphology of E. conspersus and time of year, habitat, sample recovery method, and female attraction to pheromone traps in commercial tomato fields. All ovariole categories, sexually immature through postreproductive, were recorded for females collected from tomatoes by plant‐beating sample throughout the growing season. Conversely, pheromone trap captures in tomatoes over the same period revealed that females entering the traps were exclusively reproductively active with matured eggs. We conclude that early season female‐biased E. conspersus pheromone trap catch can be used to establish a ‘biofix’ from which to accumulate degree days and forecast nymphal development in the field. Focusing control efforts on the more susceptible nymph stages may improve efficacy of reduced‐risk insecticides such as the neonicotinoids. Thoracic dissection results, with no significant difference in flight muscle size or color by ovariole condition, failed to support our hypothesis of a life history trade‐off between female reproductive activity and flight capability to explain a decline in female pheromone trap response during the mid‐summer tomato‐fruiting stages. The adaptive value of the observed retention of E. conspersus flight capability over the calendar year, and across reproductive stages, is discussed.     

雄性稻绿蝽对雌性鸣唱反应的物种特异性

雌性稻绿蝽的鸣唱开始了在基质中产生的通讯并引起雄性不同的特定反应。在两种自然情况下 ,我们检验了雄性稻绿蝽对N viridula ,Thyantapallidovirens和Thyantacustatoraccerra个体鸣唱刺激反应的物种特异性水平 ,并对反应强度和同种及异种刺激性鸣唱的时间特性进行了相关分析 ,证明雄性求偶鸣唱的发送和震动源的定位是最具物种特异性的反应。然而 ,即便是在这个水平上 ,雄性稻绿蝽不能将同种雌性个体的鸣唱与T .custatoraccera的第二个雄性个体的鸣唱区分开来 ,后者与前者有相似的脉冲持续时间和重复时间值。本文也讨论了涉及交配行为鸣唱期的有关信号的物种特定性的概念     

Genetic variation in field and laboratory populations of the spined soldier bug,Podisus maculiventris

The predatory spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), is an economically important and highly valued biological control agent. There is substantial information on the biology, ecology, behavior, and rearing of this stink bug. However, virtually nothing is known of its genetic variation, in natural or domesticated populations. To address this lacuna, we used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to assess the genetic variability of field and laboratory populations. Four AFLP universal primer combinations yielded a total of 209 usable loci. The AFLP results showed greater genetic variability between populations from Missouri and Mississippi (both USA), and relatively low variability within Missouri populations. We infer little genetic isolation among Missouri field populations and within laboratory populations, but a significant genetic isolation between Missouri and Mississippi populations.     

Parasitism of frozen Halyomorpha halys eggs by Trissolcus japonicus: applications for rearing and experimentation

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), has become a well-known pest to growers and homeowners since its 1996 introduction to the United States. A classical biocontrol programme is under development using the egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus. Widespread implementation of biocontrol requires efficient mass rearing, which is constrained by the availability of fresh H. halys eggs. In this study, parasitism rate, developmental time, sex ratio and size were compared between wasps reared on fresh versus frozen, newly laid (<1 d old) versus variably aged (0–3 d old), and frozen egg masses stored ≤4 y. Frozen eggs yielded 56–65% fewer wasps, with parasitism rate decreasing 1–3% per month stored. Parasitism rate, sex ratio and developmental time were comparable between newly laid and variably aged eggs. Freezing eggs for any duration did not affect sex ratio or weight of emerged wasps, but delayed emergence 5–6 d. To simulate deployment of sentinel eggs in the field, we incubated frozen eggs at 20°C and 30°C for 1–9 d before exposing them to T. japonicus, then evaluated parasitism trends. Trissolcus japonicus parasitism rate decreased 5–8% per day incubated, unhatched wasps increased 9% per day incubated and sex ratio was not impacted. Variably aged, frozen and longer stored eggs can be used for T. japonicus rearing and experimentation without affecting emerged wasp sex ratio or size within one generation, but have lower parasitism and slower development. Frozen sentinel eggs are effective <3–5 d, especially in hot conditions.     

Gripping ease in southern green stink bugs Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): Coping with geometry,orientation and surface wettability of substrate

The southern green stink bug Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) is highly polyphagous, preferring apically situated seeds and fruits on more than 150 plant species belonging to over 30 plant families all over the world. This forces them to move over highly variable terrains, including plant stems, leaves, pods and buds, which requires efficient attachment. Stink bugs have long slender legs and feet (tarsi) equipped with paired curved claws, paired soft adhesive pads (pulvilli), and flattened lanceolate hairs (setae), which arise ventrally on the first and second foot segments (tarsomeres). To characterize their attachment abilities on well‐defined test substrates, here we comparatively measured and analyzed the traction forces of bugs walking horizontally and vertically on hydrophilic (water attractive) and hydrophobic (water repellent) glass plates and rods. The latter correspond to the geometry of preferred feeding sites of stink bugs in the field. The results show a clear contribution of tarsal flattened lanceolate hairs to the stink bug's attachment. Higher traction forces are generated on a glass rod than on a glass plate, corresponding to up to individual maximum of 43 times the stink bug's body weight. Substrate hydrophobicity promotes the attachment, while the measured forces are up to eight times lower when tarsal hairs are disabled. The combination of smooth and hairy tarsal pads results in a remarkable attachment ability, which enables N. viridula to climb unstable apical plant parts, and supports their invasive behavior and global dispersion.     

Stink Bug Feeding Induces Fluorescence in Developing Cotton Bolls

Background

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) comprise a critically important insect pest complex affecting 12 major crops worldwide including cotton. In the US, stink bug damage to developing cotton bolls causes boll abscission, lint staining, reduced fiber quality, and reduced yields with estimated losses ranging from 10 to 60 million dollars annually. Unfortunately, scouting for stink bug damage in the field is laborious and excessively time consuming. To improve scouting accuracy and efficiency, we investigated fluorescence changes in cotton boll tissues as a result of stink bug feeding.

Results

Fluorescent imaging under long-wave ultraviolet light showed that stink bug-damaged lint, the inner carpal wall, and the outside of the boll emitted strong blue-green fluorescence in a circular region near the puncture wound, whereas undamaged tissue emissions occurred at different wavelengths; the much weaker emission of undamaged tissue was dominated by chlorophyll fluorescence. We further characterized the optimum emission and excitation spectra to distinguish between stink bug damaged bolls from undamaged bolls.

Conclusions

The observed characteristic fluorescence peaks associated with stink bug damage give rise to a fluorescence-based method to rapidly distinguish between undamaged and stink bug damaged cotton bolls. Based on the fluorescent fingerprint, we envision a fluorescence reflectance imaging or a fluorescence ratiometric device to assist pest management professionals with rapidly determining the extent of stink bug damage in a cotton field.     

Evaluation of spatial and temporal patterns of insect damage and aflatoxin level in the pre‐harvest corn fields to improve management tactics

Spatial and temporal patterns of insect damage in relation to aflatoxin contamination in a corn field with plants of uniform genetic background are not well understood. After previous examination of spatial patterns of insect damage and aflatoxin in pre‐harvest corn fields, we further examined both spatial and temporal patterns of cob‐ and kernel‐feeding insect damage, and aflatoxin level with two samplings at pre‐harvest in 2008 and 2009. The feeding damage by each of the ear/kernel‐feeding insects (i.e., corn earworm/fall armyworm damage on the silk/cob, and discoloration of corn kernels by stink bugs) and maize weevil population were assessed at each grid point with five ears. Sampling data showed a field edge effect in both insect damage and aflatoxin contamination in both years. Maize weevils tended toward an aggregated distribution more frequently than either corn earworm or stink bug damage in both years. The frequency of detecting aggregated distribution for aflatoxin level was less than any of the insect damage assessments. Stink bug damage and maize weevil number were more closely associated with aflatoxin level than was corn earworm damage. In addition, the indices of spatial–temporal association (χ) demonstrated that the number of maize weevils was associated between the first (4 weeks pre‐harvest) and second (1 week pre‐harvest) samplings in both years on all fields. In contrast, corn earworm damage between the first and second samplings from the field on the Belflower Farm, and aflatoxin level and corn earworm damage from the field on the Lang Farm were dissociated in 2009.     

Stink bug rostrum length vs. stylet penetration potential

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and related species continue to plague cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae), worldwide. Stink bugs utilize their stylets (housed within the rostrum) to feed upon cotton bolls and transmit pathogens that cause seed and boll rot of cotton. Stylet penetration potential of stink bugs is influenced by species and recent observations indicated a phenomenon whereby stink bugs with shorter rostra yielded deeper stylet penetration estimates. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between rostrum length and known stylet penetration estimates for two pairs of similar‐sized pentatomid species: Chinavia hilaris (Say) vs. Euschistus servus (Say), and Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius) vs. Piezodorus guildinii Westwood. For each species, individual rostral segments were measured to yield total lengths, and measurements were compared against known stylet penetration estimates. Chinavia hilaris and P. guildinii have longer rostra than E. servus and O. pugnax, respectively, yet E. servus and O. pugnax yielded deeper stylet penetration estimates. Deeper stylet penetration by species with shorter rostra can be attributed to differences in the lengths of rostral segments 1 and 2. Euschistus servus and O. pugnax each had significantly longer rostral segments 1 and 2 than C. hilaris and P. guildinii, respectively. Also, the cumulative lengths of rostral segments 1 and 2 comprised a higher overall proportion of the entire rostrum length in E. servus and O. pugnax vs. C. hilaris and P. guildinii, respectively. Rostral segments 1 and 2 are instrumental in the feeding mechanics of these phytophagous species; it is clear that their greater length and their role in stylet penetration model calculations – including the lengths of segments 3 and 4 – override the presumption that total rostrum length equates to stylet penetration potential. This novel finding contributes to the general knowledge of stink bug feeding mechanics.     

Dynamics and seasonal abundance of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in a cotton-soybean ecosystem

Two soybean varieties (early-maturing group V and late-maturing group VII) and two cotton varieties (conventional and transgenic (Bt) were grown in adjacent replicated large field plots (approximately 0.1 ha each) at two locations for 3 yr. The dynamics and relative abundance of phytophagous stink bugs within these two crops were observed. The most abundant pentatomid species in both crops for all 3 yr were Nezara viridula (L.), Acrosternum hilare (Say), and Euschistus servus (Say). Several other species also were commonly collected. This is the first record of Mormidea lugens (F.) on soybean and E. quadrator Rolston, E. obscurus (Palisot), Holcostethus limbolarius (St?l), and Oebalus pugnax (F.) on cotton. Stink bugs began arriving in soybean when plant growth stages ranged from pod formation to full seed development. Peak numbers of these insects were found in soybean from the time of full-size seeds in the pods until early maturity. The bugs were first attracted to the earlier maturing cultivar (group V), where they remained until plants began to mature (R7). The pentatomids then moved to the later-maturing cultivar (group VII) as it reached full pod to full seed. Stink bugs began arriving in cotton from the time of the earliest flowers until after the first bolls formed. Peak numbers in cotton occurred during the time when all stages of developing bolls were present. Stink bug numbers were much greater in soybean than in cotton over all three seasons. This preference for soybean over cotton indicates the potential use of soybean as a trap crop for attracting stink bugs away from cotton. Additionally, the coordinated use of early- and late-maturing soybean cultivars as a trap crop could minimize the area requiring insecticides, as well as the number of insecticide applications to cotton.